China congratulates President Barack Obama on re-election

Chinese leader Hu Jintao congratulated US President Barack Obama on his re-election, noting 'positive progress' in Sino-US relations over the past four years, China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Chinese leader Hu Jintao congratulated US President Barack Obama on his re-election, noting 'positive progress' in Sino-US relations over the past four years, China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

"President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao sent messages of congratulations to President Obama on his being re-elected president of the United States," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters in Beijing.

China will 'look to the future and make continuous efforts for fresh and greater progress in the building of the China-US cooperative partnership,' Hong said shortly after Obama's re-election.

Obama swept to an emphatic win over Mitt Romney, declaring victory after picking up crucial swing states.

The election comes just before China's ruling Communist Party meets on Thursday for a congress where it will announce a once-a-decade transition in its top leadership.

Obama took office in 2009 calling for a broader relationship with Beijing, seeing opportunities for cooperation with the rising power on areas such as the global economic crisis and climate change.

But the Obama administration's views hardened in 2010 as Southeast Asian nations and Japan accused Beijing of aggressively staking claims to disputed territories, a move that China has eyed with suspicion.